Warzone: Molotov

The Chemditz Raid

Précis

Typical of the small-scale warfare of the Sorrowful Years, Chemditz was a Penal world in the Molotov system, deep in Partisan territory, rimwards of the wartorn Delphurnean League region. Covered largely in chill scrubby grassland and dotted with low-grade workhouse complexes, the planet had little strategic value beyond its excellent warp routes. 

'Liberated' by the Silver Stars without meaningful resistance, the population was initially extremely loyal to the Primarch, though the increased workload demanded by Kapihe Riverhead of the Silver Stars quickly saw resentment begin to fester. As the Delphurnean League front stabilised, the planet was used by the Partisans as a medium-security storage depot, with vast stockpiles of ammunition and low-tech transport necessary to supply the Imperial Guard who had declared for the Partisan cause.

As the 'Primarch' gathered his forces for the advance into Heliopolis, Brother-Captain Marcus Gaius Androdius of the Argent Heralds' 6th Company sent a single Kill Team of his warriors to the planet to ensure it remained loyal to the cause.

The silverclad squad proved their worth ten times over when the Death Eagles arrived. 

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Belligerents

[//Princip. belligerents={Pentarchy}//] +Death Eagles (I)+

[//Princip. belligerents={Partisan}//] +Argent Heralds+

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[//Pictcapture of [spec.] Brother Cersis Rostara of the Argent Heralds {identquery=possible; ident suggested by heraldic shield, and company markings on the knee}, rallying Kurganian Cataphracts+]
[//natedungeon+]

***

The split-second of hesitancy was all the Space Marine required. Boltgun up, he pulled the trigger twice. The second shot pealed away, defied by the Death Eagles's plate – but it was no matter. The first had killed his target. He nodded, absently, then tapped the Aquila he still bore on his chest. Had that been why the enemy had hesitated?

The Argent Herald knew no conflict; knew only conviction. Volnoscere was the last true hope for the Imperium. A decade of war against the greenskins lent urgency to Amrus' actions. It was not enough for the Partisans to deliver the Primarch his victory – it must also be done as quickly and bloodlessly as possible. Only then could the Imperium be reborn, strengthened and prepared for the challenges of lesser species. 

***

The Scream of Eagles

A craft bearing fourteen Death Eagle survivors – made up of a mix of their battered Fourth and Sixth companies – had been stranded in Morqub following the fighting in the Forbearance system. Unable to find a way corewards through the Red Fish pickets, their injured Lieutenant ordered the craft to limp towards Molotov, in the vain hope that their Chapter had been able to punch through.

While battle-weary and low on supplies, they had retained a number of armsmen and serfs, making them a potentially dangerous force – well capable of disrupting or despoiling this Partisan macro-magazine. Landing unopposed in the broad badlands outside Kalditz, the Death Eagles force moved swiftly to capture the refinery and resupply. 

Within a day, the Death Eagles had overcome the scanty garrison, captured a transmission tower and had begun using their Astropath to send double-blind coded messages in an attempt to contact Pentarchy forces in the region. Two weeks passed before the backwater technicians of the planet passed word of the mysterious messages to the augmetic ears of Sergeant Aesid of the Argent Heralds – but barely two hours passed before his Rhino led a column of Kurganian Cataphracts and a scratch company made up of deputised ex-felons towards Kalditz. 

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[//Argent Heralds heraldry+]
[//natedungeon+]

With an unknown force in place and little intelligence, this small-scale conflict was typical of the raids and counter-operations of the period. Suspecting high-threat Inquisitorial or Pentarchy inflitration, Aesid could ill-afford to lose his element of surprise – and with the high-cast transmitter station being just one of two on the planet, nor was a full-scale assault reasonable.

Ordering the Kurganian Cataphracts to surround the complex, the Argent Heralds moved forward alongside a hand-picked group of Cataphracts to infiltrate the transmission station. Contact was swift and terminal; with a firefight erupting within seconds of insertion – five of the injured Death Eagles were confirmed slain for two Argent Heralds losses within this first skirmish before the Pentarchy troops were able to fall back to pre-prepared positions.

Here, time became critical. Aesid suspected his opposite number would detonate the crys-stack power generator if threatened; and – fatefully – hesitated in order to notify the Cataphract command. By the time his allies were able to move up, the Death Eagles had made a break for the perimeter, more than a dozen of their serfs and armsmen buying their lords' escape with their lives.

Cursing, Aesid called in the idling Rhino to head them off, taking Brother Rostara and Varus with him; and reluctantly ordering the injured Idex to lead a fireteam of Cataphracts to ensure the crys-stack generator was intact.

***

Synthesis and alliance

Idex, cradling a broken arm, led the advance down corridors and hallways, acutely aware that the place could detonate at any moment. Movement was slow as the Death Eagles' grim-faced Orthodox soldiers sold their lives dearly. While none managed to further injure Idex, half a dozen Cataphracts were killed by the prepared Death Eagles' servants.

True to form, the Death Eagles had left a rearguard in the office beside the main control point. Out of ammo, the Death Eagle burst from cover, tearing through three of the Cataphracts with his combat blade and fists before one was able to jam a blade into the back of his knee – giving Idex just enough time to raise his boltpistol and execute the attacker.

Alas; the Death Eagles had turned the action into a trap: as the Death Eagles' armour detected flat vital signs, a mine was detonated, killing Idex and all but two of his warriors. The comms tower itself, however, was – seemingly miraculously – undamaged, the critical functions seemingly protected by Idex's body. 

***

Pursuit and clear-up

The remaining Death Eagles had reached the Kurgani Cataphract lines by the time Sergeant Aesid arrived; and were pinned down by disciplined and heavy fire from the Partisan Guardsmen. Defeat was obvious; but the Death Eagles refused to surrender. Notably, it was not just the Astartes who rejected Aesid's calls, but the serfs. Believing that they would die righteously in the Orthodox cause, they fought fanatically and fatalistically.

The resulting firefight lasted for more than four hours; but the Death Eagles' injuries and lack of ammunition – not to mention the discipline of the forces under the Argent Heralds' leadership – proved telling. As dusk fell, the surviving Argent Heralds were able to claim victory for the Primarch, over a scorched heap of mangled bodies in hastily-dug foxholes. A vast quantity of ordnance and firepower had been spent, proving just how deadly even small Astartes Kill Teams could be.

As word of the Argent Heralds' heroic resistance spread, Cardinal Morgetheon himself personally praised the sacrifice of brother Idex, seeing 'the hand of the Emperor himself' in the preservation of the comms tower – and through it, the planet.

***